Voltammetric determination of cocaine in confiscated samples using a carbon paste electrode modified with different [UO2(X-MeOsalen)(H2O)] · H2O complexes

Sensors (Basel). 2013 Jun 14;13(6):7668-79. doi: 10.3390/s130607668.

Abstract

A fast and non-destructive voltammetric method to detect cocaine in confiscated samples based on carbon paste electrode modified with methoxy-substituted N,N'-ethylene-bis(salcylideneiminato)uranyl(VI)complexes, [UO2(X-MeOSalen)(H2O)] · H2O, where X corresponds to the positions 3, 4 or 5 of the methoxy group on the aromatic ring, is described. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode and the electrochemical detection of cocaine were investigated using cyclic voltammetry. Using 0.1 mol · L(-1) KCl as supporting-electrolyte, a concentration-dependent, well-defined peak current for cocaine at 0.62 V, with an amperometric sensitivity of 6.25 × 104 μA · mol · L(-1) for cocaine concentrations ranging between 1.0 × 10(-7) and 1.3 × 10(-6) mol · L-1 was obtained. Chemical interference studies using lidocaine and procaine were performed. The position of the methoxy group affects the results, with the 3-methoxy derivative being the most sensitive.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Cocaine / analysis*
  • Coordination Complexes / chemistry*
  • Electrochemical Techniques*
  • Electrodes
  • Electrolytes / chemistry
  • Forensic Sciences
  • Schiff Bases / chemistry
  • Uranium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Coordination Complexes
  • Electrolytes
  • Schiff Bases
  • Uranium
  • Carbon
  • Cocaine